Travis Business Advisors Podcast | TBA Podcast
I’m Slava Davidenko, founder of Travis Business Advisors, ABBA, IBBA and TABB member, Accredited Business Intermediary, Chicago GSB MBA.
I have 35 years of leadership experience in investing, operations and high-stakes deals. I’m building an Austin advisory for small and medium sized businesses.
On this channel, I share insights for Austin business owners planning an exit and buyers, planning to buy business located in Austin - whether five years away from the deal or just three months.
If you own a car wash, dental or veterinary practice, private school or education center, self-storage, or senior care - selling isn’t simple. Valuation, structure, taxes, transition, real estate, growth story - every decision affects your outcome.
Most brokers oversimplify. I don’t.
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational content only. It does not constitute legal, tax, financial, or investment advice. Always consult qualified professionals. Individual results vary significantly.
You can check out our website for more information:
travisbusinessadvisors.com
🔗 Network with me on LinkedIn for professional connections: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vdavidenko/
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DISCLAIMER: This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, financial, or investment advice. Always consult qualified professionals. Individual results vary significantly.
Travis Business Advisors Podcast | TBA Podcast
Rental Relief or Mirage? Navigating the US Housing Affordability Crisis
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Can the current state of the US rental market offer a glimmer of hope amidst the affordability crisis? Join us as we explore this pressing question and unravel the complexities of the housing landscape. With the median rent dropping to $1,703 in November 2024, there's a potential shift on the horizon. Yet, renters still face steep challenges, often working more than 40 hours a week to cover housing costs. We dive into the reasons behind the stubborn rise in rent despite this dip, from supply chain hiccups to escalating housing demand. Our discussion touches on the disconnect between rent and home prices, where rents offer some relief while the dream of homeownership remains just out of reach for many, particularly first-time buyers.
As we continue, we examine how cities like St. Louis and Seattle are tackling the housing affordability crisis through wage increases and other tailored solutions. Whether it's zoning reform, density bonuses, or rent control policies, we weigh the pros and cons of various strategies designed to alleviate the strain on renters. Moreover, we highlight the importance of employer-driven housing initiatives and the invaluable support from community organizations like tenant unions. The conversation moves toward the future, contemplating how demographic trends and economic shifts could shape housing demand. We stress the critical need for a collective and empathetic approach to effectively address this ongoing challenge.
📰 Read more about this topic in our latest article: https://sunrisecapitalgroup.com/rents-are-down-wages-are-up-will-this-finally-solve-the-housing-crisis/
🔎 Explore more resources:
📚 Business sale case studies - see how companies were prepared and sold
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📊 Visual infographics about selling a business - key numbers, timelines, and exit strategies
https://travisbusinessadvisors.com/infographics
🧰 Try useful tools for business owners - valuation insights and preparation resources
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🏢 Industries we work with - learn which businesses we help prepare for sale
https://travisbusinessadvisors.com/industries
⚠️ Disclaimer: All scenarios are composite, hypothetical, or modified for confidentiality — no real transactions are depicted. Financial outcomes are illustrative only, not guarantees. This content is educational only and does not constitute legal, tax, financial, or brokerage advice. No professional-client relationship is created. Consult qualified professionals before making any business decisions.
Current State of US Rental Market
Speaker 1Hey everyone, Welcome back for another deep dive.
Speaker 2Yeah.
Speaker 1Today we're going to be looking at the current state of the rental market in the US.
Speaker 2Okay.
Speaker 1You know, it's something that I think is on a lot of people's minds these days, absolutely, you know. If you want to learn more about real estate investing after listening to this, you can go over to www.2060.us.
Speaker 2All right.
Speaker 1But first we're going to break down some recent trends in the rental market and we're going to kind of look at what they might mean for you if you're a renter.
Speaker 2Yeah.
Speaker 1And we've got excerpts from this really insightful article. Okay, that kind of explores the potential relief but also some of the ongoing affordability challenges that renters are facing.
Speaker 2Right, it's a bit of a mixed bag.
Speaker 1Yeah, definitely a mixed bag. Yeah, but that's why we're here.
Speaker 2Yeah.
Speaker 1You know, to try and help you make sense of it all, absolutely. So let's jump right in.
Speaker 2Sounds good.
Speaker 1One thing that stood out to me.
Speaker 2Okay.
Speaker 1Is that nationwide? The median rent actually fell to $1,703 in November of 2024, which is down $57 from its peak back in August of 2022.
Speaker 2Yeah, that's good news.
Speaker 1Yeah, that's welcome.
Speaker 2Right after years of just increases, yeah, Increases, increases, you know yeah it seems like it's been going up forever. Right.
Speaker 1The article even mentioned that studio apartments saw the biggest decrease Interesting Year over year down 1.6%. Huh, I was a little surprised by that.
Speaker 2Yeah, me too.
Speaker 1Honestly, with so many people working remotely and you would think that people would need more space, Right? So?
Speaker 2you'd think smaller units wouldn't be affected. Yeah, you would think they'd be holding on to that price a little bit more tightly. But you know we may be seeing a shift back towards those smaller units as people are adjusting to these. You know hybrid work models smaller units, as people are adjusting to these you know hybrid work models Okay, or you know, maybe they're just prioritizing, you know, affordability over having a lot of space.
Speaker 1Yeah, that makes sense, right. I mean, maybe people are just tired of paying so much for rent.
Speaker 2Well, exactly.
Speaker 1But I guess what's really important is that even with this dip, rents are still much higher.
Speaker 2Oh yeah.
Speaker 1Than they were before the pandemic Much higher.
Speaker 2Oh, yeah, than they were before the pandemic, Much higher.
Speaker 1So you know, it's not like things are back to normal. No, no, no, not at all. What are some of the reasons why? We're seeing this persistent rise in rent, even though you know we have this little dip.
Speaker 2So you know, the pandemic really kind of threw a wrench into things. You know. We saw those supply chain disruptions that really drove up the cost of materials, which made new construction way more expensive.
Speaker 2That makes sense. At the same time, you know the demand for housing surged as people you know sought more space, they wanted home offices or they just want to change the scenery, and you know that combination of factors really created a perfect storm for pushing those rents up. And you know that combination of factors really created a perfect storm for pushing those rents up. And the question now is whether you know this recent dip is just temporary.
Speaker 1OK.
Speaker 2Or is this like a sign of a more sustained trend downwards?
Speaker 1Yeah, so it's hard to say. Yeah, it is hard to for sure if this is just a blip or if this is the start of a new trend Right. And it's important to remember too that when we're talking about median rent, we're looking at averages. The actual cost of renting varies so much.
Speaker 2Right.
Speaker 1Depending on where you are.
Speaker 2Yeah.
Speaker 1What kind of unit you're looking at.
Speaker 2Sure.
Speaker 1What amenities you want.
Speaker 2Yeah, location, location, location.
Speaker 1Location location location. Yeah, location location location, location location location Exactly.
Speaker 2The article also mentioned this kind of strange disconnect between rent prices and home prices. Right, while rents are easing up a bit, home prices are still way up there. Still sky high. Yeah, it said that the median price per square foot for homes surged almost 50 percent, wow, compared to just 18.1 percent increase in rent back in 2019.
Speaker 1Yeah, so you know, while lower rents might give some renters a little bit of breeding room, yeah. It doesn't necessarily make it easier to become a homeowner.
Speaker 2Right.
Speaker 1Those high home prices are still a huge barrier.
Speaker 2Especially for first-time homebuyers. Especially for first-time buyers. Yeah, you know, they're really struggling.
Speaker 1So for our listeners out there, I mean, is this like a window of opportunity to try and jump into homeownership while the rents are slightly lower?
Speaker 2It's hard to say for sure. It really depends on your personal circumstances. You know your finances and you know what's going on in your local market. For some, this might be a chance to save more aggressively for a down payment, but for others, that dream of owning a home might still feel very far away.
Speaker 1Yeah, that makes sense. Let's shift gears a little bit, ok, and talk about affordability, right, because even with this dip in rent prices, it's still a major concern for a lot of people.
Speaker 2It is.
Speaker 1The article pointed out that in many cities, even if two people are splitting rent Right On a modest apartment, they'd need to work way more than 40 hours a week.
Speaker 2Yeah.
Speaker 1Just to keep their housing costs housing costs below 30% of their income.
Speaker 2It really highlights the difference between what we consider affordable on paper.
Speaker 1Okay.
Speaker 2And you know what people are actually experiencing in their lives, right. When you add in all those other expenses food, transportation, health care it becomes really clear that you know a lot of renters are stretched really thin.
Speaker 1And the article provided some really stark examples. It did To kind of illustrate this point.
Speaker 2Absolutely.
Speaker 1Cities like Seattle and Minneapolis, which have higher minimum wages, seem to be doing a little bit better in terms of wages keeping pace with these housing costs. But then you've got places like Nashville and Austin, which are still relying on that federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour, and that just doesn't cut it.
Speaker 2No, it doesn't.
Speaker 1I mean in Nashville. The article said that someone would need to work 82 hours a week.
Speaker 2Wow.
Speaker 1To afford the median rent.
Speaker 2That's crazy.
Speaker 1And in Austin it's 79 hours.
Speaker 2I mean that's just not sustainable. Mean that's just not sustainable.
Speaker 1Yeah, that's just not possible. It's really alarming.
Speaker 2It is.
Speaker 1And it really, I think, underscores the impact that these local wage policies have on people's ability to just make ends meet.
Speaker 2Absolutely.
Speaker 1What we're seeing is that in cities with those higher minimum wages, even if they have a higher overall cost of living, with those higher minimum wages, even if they have a higher overall cost of living, there's often a better quality of life and greater economic mobility for people at the lower end of the income spectrum. That makes sense. So you know, location plays a huge role. Yeah, it does Not just in terms of those rent prices, but also in terms of the policies that are in place to support workers.
Speaker 2Absolutely and this kind of raises another interesting question. You know what happens if wages stay the same in certain areas while the housing costs remain high. Could we see people moving? You know, migrating to cities that have a better wage to housing cost ratio.
Speaker 1I mean, could we see like a surge in migration if people seek out, you know, cities with a better balance?
Speaker 2It could happen.
Speaker 1It's fascinating to think about it is that these economic conditions can actually, you know, influence demographic shifts across the whole country.
Speaker 2Across the country. Exactly, and I think it really underscores the need for policymakers to think about you know how interconnected all these issues are.
Speaker 1You know, and we're going to dig deeper into those policy implications and potential solutions in part two of this deep dive Sounds good, but first let's talk about some positive news.
Speaker 2OK, I like positive news On the wage front. All right.
Speaker 1The article highlighted that 23 of the 50 largest metro areas are actually going to see minimum wage increases in 2025. Oh wow, that's got to be a relief for a lot of folks out there.
Speaker 2Yeah, I mean, even small increases can make a difference in someone's budget, Right? Especially, you know, over time. Yeah, imagine having, you know, a couple extra dollars each week.
Speaker 1Yeah.
Speaker 2You know, maybe to buy groceries to put in savings, or even, you know, just a little treat.
Speaker 1Yeah, like a little breathing room can make such a big difference.
Speaker 2Absolutely. It can really improve someone's quality of life.
Speaker 1The article even mentioned some like concrete examples of what impact these increases could have. Like in St Louis and Kansas City, the average minimum wage renter could save about four hours of work per week.
Speaker 2Wow.
Speaker 1That's huge.
Speaker 2It is significant.
Speaker 1Yeah.
Speaker 2And even in cities with already higher minimum wages, like Seattle and Minneapolis.
Speaker 1Right.
Speaker 2These increases could still make a positive impact. You know, it's all about making things a little bit more equitable.
Speaker 1Okay, so wage increases are a step in the right direction.
Speaker 2Yeah.
Speaker 1But what about, like the bigger picture of housing affordability?
Speaker 2Right.
Speaker 1Are there other solutions that could help close that gap between wages and housing costs?
Speaker 2You know, the article didn't really give us one easy answer.
Speaker 1Yeah, it didn't have a silver bullet.
Speaker 2No silver bullet, yeah, and honestly there probably isn't one.
Speaker 1OK.
Speaker 2It really emphasized that solutions need to be tailored to each specific region. Ok.
Speaker 1Yeah, so for instance, in cities with booming economies and high housing demand.
Speaker 2Right.
Speaker 1We need policies that encourage the development of more affordable housing. Okay, so things like yeah, things like zoning reform.
Speaker 2Yeah.
Speaker 1Density bonuses yeah, streamlined permitting processes.
Speaker 2Okay.
Speaker 1You know, all of these can help to increase the supply of housing that's actually affordable.
Speaker 2Those sound like more structural, long-term solutions. What about something that could provide more immediate relief for renters who are struggling right now?
Speaker 1Well, there's always the debate about rent control policies.
Speaker 2OK.
Speaker 1You know, those aim to stabilize rent prices and protect tenants from those sudden increases.
Speaker 2Yeah, I've heard about those, but they seem kind of controversial.
Speaker 1They are controversial. Yeah, you know, while they can provide stability for current tenants, they can also have those unintended consequences.
Speaker 2Okay.
Speaker 1Some argue that rent control can discourage new construction.
Speaker 2Or lead to disinvestment in existing properties.
Speaker 1Okay.
Speaker 2Because landlords might not see the same potential for profit.
Speaker 1So it's really a complex issue. It is complex with pros and cons.
Speaker 2And the effectiveness really depends on how it's implemented.
Speaker 1It's not a magic bullet, no magic bullet. It sounds like we need like a more holistic approach.
Speaker 2Right.
Speaker 1That takes into account the needs of both renters and property owners.
Speaker 2Exactly. It's all about finding that balance.
Speaker 1You know, as we were reading through the article, I noticed it focused a lot on policymakers. But what about employers? Oh, yeah. What can they do to help make housing more attainable for their employees?
Speaker 2Absolutely. More and more companies are realizing that housing affordability affects their workforce. Right, I mean, think about it. If employees are constantly worried about making rent or they have these really long commutes because they can't afford to live close to their jobs, that's going to affect their productivity, their morale, their overall well-being.
Speaker 1Yeah, it's in everyone's best interest to have a workforce that's stable and secure.
Speaker 2Exactly so. Some companies are getting creative.
Speaker 1Okay, how so?
Speaker 2Well, they're offering things like housing stipends. Okay, partnering with local housing organizations.
Speaker 1Right.
Speaker 2To provide affordable housing options.
Speaker 1Also.
Speaker 2Or even, you know, exploring the possibility of building employee housing.
Speaker 1Wow, like near their offices.
Speaker 2Near their offices Exactly.
Speaker 1Never heard of that before.
Speaker 2It's still a pretty new concept.
Speaker 1Okay.
Speaker 2But it's gaining traction Right, especially in those areas with tight housing markets.
Speaker 1That makes sense.
Speaker 2And high costs of living.
Speaker 1So it seems like a win-win.
Speaker 2It does.
Speaker 1You know, employees get access to housing and employers benefit from a happier, more engaged workforce.
Speaker 2Absolutely, and it highlights something really important.
Speaker 1Okay, what's up?
Speaker 2You know, solving this affordability crisis requires a collective effort.
Speaker 1Yeah.
Speaker 2It's not just on policymakers or developers, uh-huh.
Speaker 1Employers, community organizations, individuals we all have a role to play. Speaking of community organizations, let's not forget the role they play.
Speaker 2Absolutely.
Speaker 1Groups like tenant unions, legal aid services, housing counseling agencies.
Speaker 2They're essential.
Speaker 1They're on the front lines providing support to renters who are really struggling.
Speaker 2They are. They provide legal assistance to tenants facing eviction.
Speaker 1Okay.
Speaker 2They advocate for policy changes that protect renters' rights and they help people navigate these complex, affordable housing programs.
Speaker 1Yeah, they're a real lifeline for a lot of people.
Speaker 2They are.
Speaker 1You know, it's become clear that this is so much more than just numbers and statistics. Oh yeah, this is about people's lives, right, their dreams, yeah, their ability to thrive in their communities.
Speaker 2Absolutely. Data is important for understanding the problem Right, but it can't fully capture the human impact.
Speaker 1Yeah.
Speaker 2We need to remember that behind every beta point OK, there's a person with a story, right, hopes and fears and aspirations.
Speaker 1And for many the stress of housing insecurity can be overwhelming.
Speaker 2Oh, absolutely.
Speaker 1You know it affects their mental and physical health, their relationships.
Speaker 2Right.
Speaker 1Their overall sense of well-being.
Speaker 2It's a reminder that we need to approach this with empathy and a commitment to finding solutions that prioritize people.
Speaker 1I agree, so we've talked about potential solutions.
Speaker 2Yeah.
Speaker 1What about the future? What does the road ahead look like for the rental market?
Speaker 2You know, unfortunately there's no crystal ball that can predict the housing market with certainty.
Speaker 1Yeah, it's like trying to predict the weather.
Speaker 2It is. It's a dynamic system influenced by so many factors.
Speaker 1So many variables.
Speaker 2But we can look at some indicators to get a sense of what might happen.
Speaker 1So what are some of those indicators?
Speaker 2Well, demographics play a big role the size and composition of the renter population, their income levels, their housing preferences. All right, you know all of those things will impact demand. For example, if more people choose to rent longer or delay homeownership because of affordability concerns, that could keep demand high and potentially push prices back up.
Speaker 1So it's like a constant push and pull.
Speaker 2It is. It's a balancing act.
Speaker 1Yeah.
Speaker 2And then we also have to consider the broader economic context.
Speaker 1OK.
Speaker 2You know things like inflation, interest rates, job growth, yeah, overall economic stability.
Speaker 1Right, all of those things. All of it Can't have an impact.
Speaker 2Exactly.
Speaker 1So it's like trying to solve this giant puzzle, yeah, with pieces that are constantly moving, that's a great analogy Exactly so. It's like trying to solve this giant puzzle with pieces that are constantly moving.
Speaker 2That's a great analogy. Yeah, but you know, the key is to stay informed, be prepared for those shifts and adapt.
Speaker 1So, for our listeners out there, what are some practical tips for navigating this market?
Speaker 2Well, first understand your local market conditions. Well, first understand your local market conditions. Okay, are rents rising or falling? Uh-huh. What's the vacancy rate? Yeah, what are the policies that your local government is considering? You know all of this information will help you make better decisions.
Speaker 1It's like doing your research.
Speaker 2Exactly.
Speaker 1Before making any big purchase.
Speaker 2You got it. You want to be knowledgeable so you can protect your interests.
Speaker 1And don't be afraid to advocate for yourself. Absolutely If you're a good tenant, paying your rent on time.
Speaker 2Right.
Speaker 1Taking care of the property.
Speaker 2Have it with leverage.
Speaker 1Know your rights as a renter. Ask questions Right. Seek clarification if something's unclear.
Speaker 2Good points and remember there are resources out there that can help you. You know organizations like tenant unions, legal aid services, housing counseling agencies. You're not alone in this.
Speaker 1OK.
Speaker 2There are people and organizations that are there to help.
Speaker 1This has been such an insightful conversation. It has We've covered a lot of ground, from falling rents to affordability challenges.
Speaker 2Right.
Speaker 1Minimum wage increases. Oh yeah, the role of different stakeholders, yeah, even some practical tips.
Speaker 2Absolutely.
Speaker 1But it feels like we've only just scratched the surface.
Speaker 2I agree. There's so much more to explore.
Speaker 1Yeah.
Speaker 2When it comes to housing policy.
Speaker 1Uh-huh.
Speaker 2Economic trends.
Speaker 1Okay.
Speaker 2The social impact.
Speaker 1Right.
Speaker 2You know, this is a topic that deserves a lot of attention.
Speaker 1And that's what we're all about here.
Speaker 2That's right.
Speaker 1At the Deep Dive. Yeah, delving deeper into these issues and encouraging you, our listeners, to do the same.
Speaker 2Keep learning.
Speaker 1Yeah, keep asking questions, keep advocating for a more equitable housing system.
Speaker 2For everyone.
Speaker 1Couldn't agree more.
Speaker 2Stay curious.
Speaker 1Stay, curious Stay curious.
Speaker 2All right, welcome back to the deep dive. We're wrapping up our look at the rental market and it's been a really interesting conversation so far.
Speaker 1Yeah, it really has.
Speaker 2We've gone over a lot, some areas, but then we dug into, you know, those ongoing affordability challenges, especially, you know, for folks who are earning minimum wage, yeah, and how that plays out differently.
Speaker 1Yeah, in all these cities across the US. Yeah, it's definitely a complex topic and we've covered a lot of ground. I think, yeah, one of the biggest takeaways, for me at least, is that there really isn't like a single solution.
Speaker 2Absolutely. I mean, we talked about the need for these tailored approaches.
Speaker 1Right, it's not one size fits all. No, it's not, yeah.
Speaker 2And, you know, it's not just about finding solutions, it's about really understanding what led to this issue in the first place.
Speaker 1Right. So you know we talked about the pandemic's impact on the housing market. You know the supply chain problems, those rising costs for construction Right and that widening gap between what people are earning and what they have to pay for housing.
Speaker 2Yeah, it's a lot of different factors all tangled up together.
Speaker 1So, as we look ahead, you know, for the rental market, yeah, what should renters keep in mind?
Speaker 2I think the big thing is.
Speaker 1Yeah.
Speaker 2Stay informed. Yeah keep in mind. I think the big thing is stay informed, keep up with what's happening at the national level, but also zoom in on your local area.
Speaker 1Right. So pay attention to those news reports, the housing market analysis and what those local groups are saying.
Speaker 2Absolutely. You know. Knowledge is power. The more you know, the better decisions you can make.
Speaker 1About your own housing situation.
Speaker 2About your own housing situation About your own housing situation.
Speaker 1Exactly.
Speaker 2And you know, and I think this is really important Don't underestimate the power of community.
Speaker 1Oh yeah, I completely agree you know.
Speaker 2Connect with other renters, Share your experiences. Yeah, Learn from each other. You know there's strength in numbers. Absolutely you know there's strength in numbers absolutely, and you know by working together you can really advocate yep for better policies, for more affordability and for housing justice I think that's a great point. Yeah, it's easy to feel isolated right when you're dealing with these housing challenges, but remember there are others out there who are going through the same things, absolutely and you know there are people and organizations who are there through the same things, Absolutely, and you know there are people and organizations who are there to support renters.
Speaker 1That's right and advocate for change.
Speaker 2Don't give up hope.
Speaker 1Yeah, I think that's a really important message.
Speaker 2Yeah.
Speaker 1Don't lose hope.
Speaker 2Yeah.
Speaker 1You know, I know it can feel overwhelming, especially when you're struggling to make ends meet or facing an uncertain future.
Speaker 2Yeah, but even when things are tough, there are people working hard to make things better. The progress might be slow, but it's happening.
Speaker 1That's a really powerful message to end on Stay informed, stay connected and stay hopeful.
Speaker 2You got it. And for those of you who are maybe interested in real estate investing, check out www.2060.us.
Speaker 1Yeah.
Speaker 2They've got some great information and resources there.
Speaker 1I think that's a great place to wrap up this deep dive.
Speaker 2It's been great talking to you.
Speaker 1Yeah, thanks for joining me for this conversation.
Speaker 2Thanks for having me.
Speaker 1And thanks to all of you out there for listening. We'll see you next time for another deep dive into something fascinating. Until then, stay curious.